Spinning Silver

Locus Award 2019, Mythopoeic Award 2019. Hugo Award nominee 2019, Nebula Award nominee 2018.

A fresh and imaginative retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale from the bestselling author of Uprooted, which was hailed as “a very enjoyable fantasy with the air of a modern classic” by The New York Times Book Review.

With the Nebula Award–winning Uprooted, Naomi Novik opened a brilliant new chapter in an already acclaimed career, delving into the magic of fairy tales to craft a love story that was both timeless and utterly of the now. Spinning Silver draws readers deeper into this glittering realm of fantasy, where the boundary between wonder and terror is thinner than a breath, and safety can be stolen as quickly as a kiss.

Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father’s inability to collect his debts has left his family on the edge of poverty — until Miryem takes matters into her own hands. Hardening her heart, the young woman sets out to claim what is owed and soon gains a reputation for being able to turn silver into gold.

When an ill-advised boast draws the attention of the king of the Staryk — grim fey creatures who seem more ice than flesh — Miryem’s fate, and that of two kingdoms, will be forever altered. Set an impossible challenge by the nameless king, Miryem unwittingly spins a web that draws in a peasant girl, Wanda, and the unhappy daughter of a local lord who plots to wed his child to the dashing young tsar.

But Tsar Mirnatius is not what he seems. And the secret he hides threatens to consume the lands of humans and Staryk alike. Torn between deadly choices, Miryem and her two unlikely allies embark on a desperate quest that will take them to the limits of sacrifice, power, and love.

Channeling the vibrant heart of myth and fairy tale, Spinning Silver weaves a multilayered, magical tapestry that readers will want to return to again and again.

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Fantasy Locus Award Mythopoeic Awards

Release date: July 9, 2018

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Naomi Novik

Naomi Novik is a name that resonates deeply within the world of fantasy, known for her ability to blend the fantastical with rich, immersive storytelling that challenges the boundaries of the genre. With an imagination as vast as the worlds she creates, Novik has become one of the most celebrated voices in contemporary speculative fiction, captivating readers with tales that balance intricate world-building with deeply human characters.

Born in New York City, Novik's early love for history and mythology found its natural outlet in her writing. Her passion for fantasy was sparked by childhood stories of dragons, magic, and adventure. It’s no surprise, then, that her debut novel, His Majesty's Dragon, introduced the world to one of the most distinctive dragon-centric tales in modern fantasy. Set in an alternate history where dragons serve as military assets during the Napoleonic Wars, the book became an instant favorite, hailed for its originality and its mix of history, adventure, and the enchanting presence of dragons. Novik's work is marked by her seamless blend of the historical and the fantastical, using both to illuminate complex themes of power, loyalty, and sacrifice.

What sets Novik apart in the crowded world of fantasy is her ability to evoke a sense of wonder without sacrificing the emotional depth of her characters. Whether it's the fierce bond between Captain Will Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire, or the delicate moral choices faced by her protagonists, Novik's stories resonate because they are as much about the heart as they are about the world-building. This balance between the personal and the epic is a hallmark of her writing style, making her books not only thrilling page-turners but also profoundly moving narratives about growth, friendship, and resilience.

In addition to her Temeraire series, which has earned her multiple Hugo and Locus Award nominations, Novik has expanded her repertoire with Uprooted and Spinning Silver, two novels that firmly establish her as a master of standalone fantasy. Uprooted is a lush, dark fairy tale infused with Slavic folklore, while Spinning Silver brings to life a world where magic and money intertwine in unexpected ways. Both books showcase her uncanny ability to craft stories that feel timeless, yet are rooted in the complexities of human relationships and societal expectations.

Throughout her career, Novik has garnered a devoted fan base, and her works have been translated into multiple languages. Her stories are as captivating as they are thought-provoking, offering both escapism and reflection. Novik has often shared that her writing is a way for her to explore the “what-ifs” of history and magic, blending these with a deep empathy for her characters' struggles and triumphs.

With a writing style that is both lyrical and grounded, Naomi Novik’s work is a gateway to worlds of wonder, where dragons soar, magic pulses through the earth, and the complexities of the human heart take center stage. Whether you're drawn to her historical fantasy epics or her reimagined fairy tales, Novik’s stories invite readers to step into a world of magic, danger, and the triumph of the human spirit.